Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The familyâs surname was Zeng, and the house they lived in was not big. The person who opened the door was a six or seven-year-old girl. When she saw an unfamiliar person standing at the door, she asked timidly, âWho are you looking for?â
As soon as she finished speaking, another woman rushed over and looked at Gu Yundong in confusion.
âHello, Auntie. Iâm Gu Yundong, who has just come to Yongfu Village. The house next door that is being built belongs to my family. We will be neighbors from now on. 1 came over firstly to greet Auntie. Iâve disturbed you during this period of time. Secondly, I want to ask Auntie for a favor.â
Gu Yundong said with a smile, her attitude very kind.
Madam Dong felt that she was very refined when she heard her speak. She knew that this girl was from the Gu family next door who wanted to build a house of bricks and tiles. They would definitely have a lot of contact in the future, so she quickly retreated and said, âLetâs talk first.â n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Gu Yundong entered and casually glanced at the Gu residenceâs courtyard.
It was very clean. The courtyard was not big, and the house looked like it had been in disrepair for a long time.
Madam Dong brought her into the central room and asked, âWhat do you want me to help with? Tell me.â
âI want to borrow Auntâs kitchen to make a pot of ginger tea,â Gu Yundong explained. âThe weather is a little cold now. The uncles outside are helping my family build a house and they are sweating. When the wind blows, they will easily catch a cold. Some ginger tea can warm their stomach. I wonder if itâs convenient for Aunt?â
Madam Dong was only stunned for a moment before she immediately nodded. âItâs convenient. Of course itâs convenient. It wonât take much. Sit for a while. We have ginger at home. Iâll get it for you.â
The ginger was all grown by her family. There was a lot. Madam Dong quickly brought her a handful.
Gu Yundong did not stand on ceremony. Not only did he borrow ginger and firewood, but he also borrowed their bucket and bowl. After cooking, he carried them out with Madam Yang. Feng Daneng was still wondering where she had gone. When he saw her carrying ginger tea over, a trace of surprise flashed across his face.
Gu Yundong told him what he meant. âEverybody has been working for half a day and your mouth is dry. 1 saw someone scoop some raw water and drink it. If this continues, he will easily fall sick. So I borrowed the Zeng familyâs kitchen to make a pot of ginger tea. Itâs warm and comfortable to drink. If youâre not used to the taste of ginger tea, thereâs also boiling water. Uncle Feng, get everyone to come over and drink it.â
Feng Daneng had never seen any hirer who made ginger tea. At most, they would put boiled water aside and let them drink it. This young lady was really not bad. This way, everyoneâs hearts were hot and they worked even harder.
After Gu Yundong and Feng Daneng finished speaking, she returned to the Zeng family.
Madam Dong was cleaning up in the kitchen. When she saw her enter, she smiled and did not say anything.
Gu Yundong took out a handful of copper coins and stuffed them into Madam Dongâs hands.
Madam Dong was shocked and quickly returned the copper coins. âWhat are you doing? Itâs just a few pieces of ginger. Iâ¦â
âAuntie, this money is not only for today. It will take more than a month to build my house. I canât come over every day, so I want to trouble Auntie to help me cook a pot every day. Thereâs no need to make ginger tea every day. The boiling water is fine too. Take this money as my salary for hiring Auntie. Besides, someone has to pick the firewood and water from Auntieâs house.â
Madam Dong was stunned. She looked down at the two hundred copper coins in her hand and thought of the man who could only lie on the bed after his leg was smashed. She also thought of the few young children at home. She gritted her teeth and took the money back. âThank you.â
âThen Iâll have to trouble you, Aunt.â Gu Yundong then left the Zeng familyâs courtyard.
Unexpectedly, just as she stepped out, she saw the door of the neighboring house open. She looked at the man who had just stepped out of the door in surprise..